[2026] Great for drives too! A roundup of the latest stylish Western music

Love is Like (ft. Lil Wayne)Maroon 5

Maroon 5 – Love is Like ft. Lil Wayne (Official Video)

Maroon 5, a band boasting worldwide popularity for their groovy sound, return with a track from Love Is Like—their first album in about four years since the 2021 masterpiece Jordi—featuring rapper Lil Wayne.

The song draws you into a provocative lyrical world that likens love’s irresistible allure to a drug.

Its funky beat, sampling Valerie Simpson’s classic, and the warm, organic instrumentation make it a perfect fit for a drive.

This marks their fourth collaboration with Lil Wayne, showcasing their strong chemistry.

Set for release in August 2025, it’s a track that highlights a fresh side of the band.

SPACE INVADERKAYTRANADA

KAYTRANADA – SPACE INVADER (Official Audio)

This track was produced by Canadian producer Kaytranada, who won two major categories at the 2021 Grammys.

Released in August 2025, it was created as a lead single from the album “Ain’t No Damn Way!” Its retro beat reminiscent of 80s dance music pairs perfectly with synth tones that feel like a journey through space.

The repeated phrase, “Sometimes I just want to run away somewhere,” seems to capture the protagonist’s earnest desire to break free from the constraints of everyday life.

It’s the perfect BGM when you want a change of pace or to immerse yourself in something.

StormNight Tapes

Night Tapes – Storm (Official Video)

This track comes from Night Tapes, a London-based trio who craft music out of late-night improvisational sessions.

The floating synths, dreamy guitars, and whisper-like vocals weave a sound that feels like an invitation to a beautiful, electronic meditation.

The song brilliantly captures, in sound, the opposing emotions of chaos and stillness that exist within the heart.

There’s also a great anecdote: vocalist Iiris says she wrote it “in an instant, like a sneeze,” which underscores its impulsive allure.

It’s the lead single from their debut album, “portals//polarities,” due in September 2025, and it’s perfect for sinking into a quiet night and immersing yourself in its sonic world.

MS. PAC MANSudan Archives

Sudan Archives – MS. PAC MAN (Official Music Video)

This is a track by Sudan Archives, a U.S.-born musician, where nostalgically familiar game sounds and Y2K vibes are brilliantly fused.

With its electropop beat and synth tones, many listeners will likely find their bodies moving before they know it.

In this work, the image of pushing through the labyrinth of fame is superimposed onto a game protagonist who powers up to overcome obstacles.

The playful backstory—born from studio improvisation—is uniquely charming as well.

The song will be unveiled in August 2025 and included on the album “THE BPM,” releasing that October.

Its lead single has even been used in a Chanel show, underscoring the buzz around it.

It’s the perfect track for when you want an energetic beat to lift your mood or to treat challenges like a game and power through them!

Lover GirlLaufey

Laufey – Lover Girl (Official Music Video)

Laufey, a singer-songwriter from Iceland who performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15.

Gracefully navigating between classical and jazz, she released this work in June 2025—a jazz-pop song that portrays a growing longing for a faraway lover.

By setting the loneliness of being unable to meet to a light, bossa nova–inspired rhythm, the expression paradoxically highlights the heart’s concealed ache—masterfully so.

The track comes from her third album, A Matter of Time, following the acclaimed Bewitched, which won the 66th Grammy Awards.

In July 2025, a music video filmed during her visit to Japan was also released, and the song is currently generating major buzz.